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Village Line Dancers This month we want to shine the spotlight on our wonderful teacher, Christine Alesiani. Christine grew up in Texas and graduated from college with a degree in Organizational Communications. She had jobs in the corporate world, but never really enjoyed them. She always taught fitness classes as a second job. She took a position as a fitness coordinator at a resort in Jamaica and that sparked a desire for more travel opportunities. She moved to San Diego and started working for The Golden Door at Sea, the cruise ship division of the famous Golden Door Spa in Escondido. She worked on four different cruise ships and visited over 80 countries. She met her future husband on one of these cruises, and they got married in 1996. She continued working part time at the local Golden Door Spa while raising their two sons. In 2008, Christine started teaching Aerobics classes in OHCC. In 2009, she was recruited to teach line dancing for the Country Western Line Dance Club. Christine had no previous experience with line dancing, but she had always loved to dance. Betty Heyer, who was one of the most experienced dancers in the club, took Christine under her wing and taught her to line dance. Initially the music that they danced to be all Country Western. However, under Christine's leadership, the music evolved to include current popular music artists and a lot of ballroom rhythm music that included Waltzes, Rhumbas, Mambos and Cha Chas. At some point in time, the club decided to change their name to the Village Line Dancers because that better reflected the variety of music that they were using. Christine always has a new dance to teach us, and new music. She inspires us and challenges us. We are never bored. Exercise for the brain and body has never been so much fun! Recently Christine hired a professional to help her to learn the technical aspects of Zoom. She also upgraded some of her music equipment. She got tremendous support and encouragement from Lynn Murphy, who serves as the secretary on our Board of Directors. They both persevered, and on Oct. 6 they held the first Zoom class for our intermediate level dancers. The plan is to hold one class a week. At some future point in time, the BOD plans to do a survey to see if there is enough interest to start a second class for beginner level students. Christine was as happy as we were to get back together. In the meantime, the BOD is still trying to get permission from the HOA to hold classes with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Initially this might be outdoors, but eventually we all want to be back in Abravanel Hall. In the meantime, we hope that you are staying active and healthy. | OHCC LIVING | NOVEMBER 2020 | 15 Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time. Honoring Our Past Since this is the season of Thanksgiving, I think it's time we thanked those who made this club the success it has been and the joy it has brought to so many. I have mentioned in a previous column that Murray and Ida Rose founded the club in 1984. The first caller and teacher were Mike Woods for three years, followed by B.K. Smith for six. Then Jim and Dottie Nelson, presidents in 1993 and 1994, initiated our contract with Jim Randall in 1993, who has served until the virus sidelined us. Many thanks are owed to Jim, who has contributed so much for so many years, making this club a vibrant organization. Jim and Dottie negotiated a change in venue from the Mykonos Room to Abravanel Hall, established the club colors of raspberry and white, originated the club badges, and made the visitation banners. So, a big debt of gratitude is owed these two former presidents. Following the Nelsons, Rick and Bronwen Weiss provided a sound financial basis for the club by originating the annual pre-pay package. Verl and Joanne Lobb, presidents in 1997, brought us more changes and ensured us a driving force in Verl, who contributed energy, enthusiasm, a Thursday practice for students, and, of course, his famous margaritas, helped by Paul Steinberg, our only centenarian, whose recent passing saddened all. Bob and June Cooper presided in 2001, and June is still an active member, and Trevor and Celia Overett followed for 2002 and 2003, creating wonderful scrapbooks for all our events. Since then, our presidents have been Jim and Bev Wright, Gene and Valerie Thompson, Don and Betsy Miller, Len and Clarice Holness, Bob and Bernie Verran, Jerry and Carolyn Hollander, Lyle Bergeson, Clarice Magnusen, and Valerie Thompson, Sig Gronich and Charline Kenney, Ellen Kipple and Charline Kenney, Steve and Marcia Ward, Valerie Thompson and Charline Kenney, Pete and Martha Cannon, Pete Cannon and Charline Kenney, and Ed Olson and Sig Gronich. All of these people have helped the club to continue on, but they have been aided by many others — all the vice presidents, treasurers, secretaries, and all those who didn't hold office, but who provided much needed expertise, stepping up whenever needed. And, as always, the necessary ingredient needed for success has been you, all our loyal members. Village Squares

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